Health Care and Social Assistance Occupations

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) is a "standard for use by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the collection, analysis, and publication of statistical data related to the business economy of the U.S" (see Ask Dr. NAICS). "The Health Care and Social Assistance sector comprises establishments providing health care and social assistance for individuals. The sector includes both health care and social assistance because it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the boundaries of these two activities. The industries in this sector are arranged on a continuum starting with those establishments providing medical care exclusively, continuing with those providing health care and social assistance, and finally finishing with those providing only social assistance. The services provided by establishments in this sector are delivered by trained professionals. All industries in the sector share this commonality of process, namely, labor inputs of health practitioners or social workers with the requisite expertise. Many of the industries in the sector are defined based on the educational degree held by the practitioners included in the industry" (see 2007 NAICS definition). O*Net Online provides information about occupations in each sector based on employment.

The AAG has compiled data on occupations related to geography by sector. Many occupations are found in more than one sector. Use the menu below or the navigation links to the left to learn more about a specific occupation and explore your career options!